Chicago's 'celebration of laughter' the country's largest
"Comedy is tragedy that happens to other people," the English novelist Angela Carter once quipped.
In the case of the Chicago Sketch Comedy Festival -- now in its sixth year at the Theatre Building -- Carter was onto something. The largest festival of its kind in the country grew out of both personal and professional tragedies, says Sketchfest founder and artistic director Brian Posen.
"In 2001, I was producing a musical called 'Aztec Human Sacrifice' by Kingsley Day and Philip LaZebnik that was going over budget and my mom got sick and then died," Posen says.
• Theatre Building, 1225 W. Belmont
• Tickets, $12 per show; $20-$40 nightly passes also available
• (773) 327-5252; www.chicagosketchfest.com
As a member of the Chicago sketch comedy group the Cupid Players, Posen was plugged into what was then Chicago's fledgling sketch comedy circuit, so he made a few calls to see if anyone would be interested in appearing.
"I figured it would be great exposure for them and I might make back some of the money I spent on the theater rental," he says.
Before long, 33 comedy groups had signed on for what would become a seven-week festival. By the end of the first festival, 2,000 people had attended the fest and made it a hit.
"It was cool, but exhausting," Posen says.
And the event has continued to grow every year. In its sophomore outing, Posen opened it up to sketch comedy acts from across the county, attracting 53 groups. In its third year, Posen rented out the entire Theatre Building for two weeks, featured 71 groups and entertained 5,500 patrons.
"It was when we had rented out all three theaters at the Theatre Building that I really began to see my vision of creating a space where people could go from theater to theater and see the best sketch comedy come to life," he says.
This year's festival features more than 100 comedy groups. Thanks to the participation of some Canadian acts, it is now an international event, as well.
Posen credits the festival's success to how his organization creates a unique theater experience.
"It doesn't begin when you sit in your seat and the show starts," he says. "It begins when you open the door and enter the theater. We have staff on hand to offer suggestions on what shows to see."
And the personal touch also extends to the performers, too.
"I've been to a lot of festivals where the artists aren't treated really well," he says. "The artists need to be honored and respected. If they honestly believe you are glad they are there, they tend to create their best work, which in turn benefits your audience."
Word about how well Chicago Sketchfest treats the artists has obviously spread. More than 200 groups submitted show clips this year and the 100 groups selected to perform reflect the best and the brightest. Well-known sketch groups appearing this year include Chicago's own Sketchcore, the prolific New York's Elephant Larry (will this five-member group ever run out of funny new ideas?) , San Francisco's Kasper Hauser (known for their unique brand of multi-media satire) and the rising stars Dance Party of Newfoundland and their edgy comedy. Posen says being well known isn't enough and that each group is evaluated equally on the basis of its comedy.
"Ultimately, this is a celebration of laughter," Posen says. "This festival has to be a fun event for everyone."
